Pressure-reducing valve



fNoModel.) y y I C. E, VAN AUKEN.

PRESSURE REDUGING VALVE. N0. 531,667. Patented Jan. 1,1895. Y

:@@sa @a III I l? Hull j Il!!! HWI!! i UNITED STATES F CLARENCE E. VAN AUKEN, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PREssuRE-Rl-:Duomc VALVE.

I PATENT OFFICE;

SPECIFICATION forming part of ,Letters Patent No. 531,667, dated January 1, 1895.v Application led September 7,1894. v Serial No. 522,324. (No model.)

embodying my improved features; Fig. 2, a

Vertical section showing parts in detail.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the body inclosing thefvalve chamber and provided with the receiving-inlet a, and discharge-outlet d'1 Y B is an evaporating cup or receptacle, which is screwed or otherwise secured to the upper part of the valve body.

C is a vertical tube or cylinder, the lower end of which is connected with the cup B andv provided on the exterior surface with the annular grooveor grooves b (see Fig. 2) which may consist of one or more as practical working may require.

D is a movable cap or hood which is fitted so as to move freely overthe tube or cylinder C.

'e are lugs rigidly attached to the hood D.

and on which rests the weighted yoke and lever E.

F is a double seated balanced valve loosely connected with the inner end of hood D by means of the link G.

I is a link, one end of which is loosely connected with the lug I', the other with one end of the yoke and lever E.

Hare weights hung to one end of the lever E.

By reason of the gravitation of the weights H, hood D and valve F and before any pressure is in the valve chamber, the parts will occupy the positions in which they are shown by Fig. 2, the passageway through the valve being open.

When steam pressure (say at eighty pounds) is admitted to inlet a lsuch pressure will rush through and into the outlet a. The pressure then existing in outlet a tends to force the cap or hood D upward, and when such pressure has increased sufficiently, the hoodD, valve F and the weighted lever E will be forced upward ciosin g the valve and passageway and preventing any further increase of pressure. The steam or liquid pressure forcing the cap or hood D upward, and the weighted lever E performing the same function in the opposite direction, regulate the movement of the valve F increasing or diminishing the opening through the same, as the pressure in outlet a (varies.

Any pressure in the outlet d may be maintained below that in the inlet ctby adjusting the number vof weights H.' The annular grooves or pockets b are for the purpose of receiving the water of condensation which takes place between the contacting surfaces of the tube C and hood D and the presence of such Water prevents and obstructs the direct passage of the steam leaking through between these two surfaces. The water also acts as a lubricant and has the effect of lessening the friction of the surfaces.

The advantage of my improved valve having a movable hood, as shown and described, having the inlet to the annular grooves or pockets b at the extreme upper end of the tube C and a considerable distance from the valve F as shown, is that any sediment, scale or foreign matter that is contained in the pipes to which thedevice is attached, will not (in passing through the valve passageway) fly direct into the annular grooves or pockets and between the movable surfaces, which by so doing, would cause their sticking and prevent their free lateral movement, a difficulty which is experienced with other devices of this character. On the contrary, any sediment, scale or foreign matter held suspended in the steam contained in cylinder C will be dropped therefrom while in such tube or cylinder,`

IOC

scribed invention is, that steam passing between the cylinder or tube C and the hood D, whether in the form of water of condensation, or as steam or vapor not under pressure, extends from the top of tube or cylinder C downward; and hence, the water of condensation will, by gravity, dow from the device as soon as formed, thus obtaining a uniform action in the operation of the machine. A yet further advantage obtained is that the several parts are in the position thereof illust rated in Fig. 2 when the machine is started and when running at its greatest capacity, and at such time there is the greatest obtainable pressure of steam in the cylinder or tube C; and at such time there is the greatest obtainable number of annular grooves or pockets b, b, in operative position between the cylinder and the hood; and in the gradual closing of the valve in the use of the device there is gradually brought out of operative condition a part or portion of such annular grooves or pockets, thus reducing the friction. This advantage is retained even if the hood D be considered and used as a piston to actuate a pump or other driven machine; and it is particu larly advantageous where Work from the expansion ot' steam in the cylinder, is desired.

The object of the evaporating cup B is for the purpose of receiving the water of condensation that may pass through between the contacting surfaces of the hood D and tube C and will there be evaporated for the reason that the temperature of the evaporating cup is constantly above 212 when there is steam contained in the valve chamber. It will thus be seen that the dripping of water, which has heretofore been a source of annoyance with this class of valves, is overcome. I do not contine myself to the exact location of this evaporatiug cup on the valve body. It may be shaped and located where it is found most desirable for practical use. Neither do I confine myself to the exact location of the annular grooves or pockets, as they can be placed on the inside of the cylindrical `part of thehood, and will perform the same function as when on the exterior of the stationary cylinder; but I prefer the construction having such grooves on the exterior of the stationary cylinder.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with a valve chamber, of a double seated cut-olf valve, inserted in the inlet passages leading to said chamber, a

' stationary cylinder communicating with said chamber, a movable hood closing the outer end of the stationary cylinder, with one or more annular grooves or pockets on the exterior ot the stationary cylinder, a link connecting said cut-off valve and hood, and means to exert a given force on the hood to open the cutoff valve; substantially as described.

2. In a pressure reducing valve, the combination with a stationary tube provided exteriorly with one or more annular grooves or pockets, ot a valve and connecting link, pivoted to a hood, such hood surrounding and fitting loosely over said tube, substantially as, and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination,with a valve chamber, of a regulating cut-01T valve, inserted in the inlet passage leading to said chamber, a steam cylinder communicating with said chamber, a movable hood closing the outer end ot' the steam cylinder, a link connecting said cut-oit" valve and hood, a weighted yoke mounted ou said hood,whereby the cutoli:' valve is adapted to have an automatic adjustment to reduce the pressure and maintain the same at any desired limit in the outlet passage.

4:. In a pressure reducingvalve, the combination of a steam cylinder having a pistou or movable hood, an evaporating receptacle located and arranged so as to receive the products of condensation from said cylinder.

CLARENCE E. VAN AUKEN.

Witnesses:

L. GERLACH, F. VAN AUKEN. 

